Debra Eloise Haste-Williams (nee Smith), the beloved daughter of the late Samuel and Shirley Smith, was born on March 23, 1958, in Baltimore, Maryland. She departed this life during the evening of February 9th, 2025, under the watchful eye of her children. Debra was preceded in death by her parents; her siblings, Anthony, Darlene, Daniel, Shirrell, Samuel, and George.

Debra was educated in the Anne Arundel County Public Schools and continued her education at the Anne Arundel Community College. She leveraged these educational experiences to make new friends and forge relationships that would span her lifetime.

After college, Debra married Robert (Michael) Haste, and from that union Shayla was born. Debra later married, Jonathan Williams (deceased), and from that union, LaShay was born. From this same union, Debra was also richly blessed with her children, Sheldon and Adrian. Having grown up in a large family herself, Debra always considered it a gift to expand her family and share her love.

With a career that spanned over 49 years with Giant Food, and holding multiple positions, the dedication, integrity, and pride to which Debra performed her job, was recognized many times over with special awards and accolades. Debra's greatest reward was the interaction she had with people. Debra took her time with every shopper, especially the elderly. She would often comment that she intentionally took more time with them, because for some, that may be the only human contact they would have on any given day. Debra also felt that she was sowing a seed of kindness for her own mother, hoping that others in the world would handle her mother with the same care.

Over the years, Debra has led many of her family members to Christ, an accomplishment for which she was most proud. Debra herself dedicated her life to the Lord as a teenager, and understood that her walk with Christ would take devotion and steadfastness. Those hallmarks would lead her to start her family choir and later serve as the Choir Director for Community Church of Christ. Later in her journey and until her passing, Debra would be a faithful member of Promise Land Church Ministries. For many years, Debra served as a Trustee and later as the Mime Ministry Director. Until the end of time here on earth, Debra maintained her excitement about the things of God.

A pioneer in her family and a trailblazer, Debra dedicated 30 years of her life to foster care and credited this endeavor to her own mother's inclusive nature. Debra believed that children especially, should not be left to fend for themselves. Instead, she believed it was her calling to create a safe space for the children that would come into her care. Debra worked tirelessly to provide a flourishing and productive life for the children she served and maintained relationships well beyond their time in foster care.

Debra enjoyed taking family vacations and hosting her annual women's party.  It was not out of the norm for Debra to make room for her nieces and children who were previously in her care to join her on vacation.  Likewise, when she held her annual Women's Christmas party, she always advised her guests to invite a friend or two. As far as Debra was concerned, the more the merrier.

Debra, also affectionately known as "Bubbie," was a devoted mother who showed an unwavering commitment to the well-being of her children.  She worked diligently to provide the best opportunities and overtly expressed her praise and encouragement no matter where they were in their own life's journey.  Bubbie was a proud mother and let her children know that there was nothing they could do to make her love them more than she did at any present moment. Bubbie was concerned with the inner life of her children and demonstrated the importance of their understanding and appreciation for the intangible gifts of life.

Bubbie had an excitable nature. She was most delighted when spending time with her grandchildren. Whether at family gatherings, time in her home, or when visiting the homes of her children, Bubbie enjoyed sharing the same space and experiencing their world through their eyes. Overnight stays, vacation, and Grand-Friends' Day were among her favorite past times with her grandchildren. Bubbie often expressed her pride in their achievements, their pure hearts, and the relationship she had with each one.

Bubbie had an exceptionally close relationship with her godchildren. Serving a confidant, resource and vessel of encouragement, the relationship was reciprocated and Bubbie knew that she could call on them for anything. Likewise, Bubbie celebrated family. She would delegate the details of family gatherings to be sorted out by her nieces and nephews (anyone other than herself), with the expectation that the outcome would be wonderful! Bubbie was honored to be a supporter and parental figure to the children of her siblings.

To cherish loving memories, Debra leaves two dedicated daughters, Shayla Pendleton and LaShay Williams; two sons, Sheldon and Adrian Williams; two daughters-in-law, LaReco Williams and Colleen Williams; one son-in-law, Derrick Pendleton, six grandchildren, Javier Williams, LaDainian Williams, Jayden Williams, Jacari Williams, Carter Pendleton, and Asher Hammack; two great-grandchild, Saint and Neiko Williams; two siblings Charlene Blackwell and Samuel Smith; two god-children, Dana Quainoo and Lydell Owens. Partner, Willie Vanderhorst, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other family and friends, and her Pearls (you know who you are).